We all can learn from salvage operation in New Orleans

Friday

Nov 30, 2007 at 12:01 AMNov 30, 2007 at 8:49 AM

As sad as it is to see the thousands of historic buildings demolished by hurricane Katrina, there is some good news amid the wreckage. And a pilot project there will benefit not only New Orleans homeowners, but also renovators around the country.

New Orleans CityBusiness reports that some historic homes with severe damage will be stripped of their valuable parts -- windows, doors, bricks and other undamaged components -- and being made available to the public for reuse.

The project is a partnership of nonprofits, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the city of New Orleans.

They'll be sold at below-market prices, which will reduce costs for those rebuilding, and it will help retain the historic character of houses being restored.

A research team from Mercy Corps will document the dismantling of a project house, according to the business newspaper, and the study will serve as a blueprint for future deconstruction projects in New Orleans and around the country. The analysis will detail the costs and benefits of deconstruction.

Proceeds from the salvage program will go toward maintenance costs for the preservation group's warehouse.

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